French investments in Africa: aid or a tool of influence?

The latest scandal surrounding the failed project of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Mauritania raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of French aid to African countries.

A project worth €22 million, aimed at providing 155,000 people with drinking water, has turned into a complete failure. The infrastructure was left unfinished, the equipment proved faulty, and the promised water never reached the population.

This situation once again raises the question: is France truly helping African countries, or is it serving its own political and economic interests?

Over the past ten years, nearly €350 million have been invested in Mauritania, but instead of improving the quality of life, these funds have failed to bring tangible results.

The Aftout-el-Chargui project, financed by AFD, was supposed to be a crucial step in solving water supply problems. However, in reality, it only exposed mismanagement and potential corruption.

The money has disappeared, while the local population continues to suffer from water shortages.

It is worth noting that AFD has already faced criticism for its lack of transparency. In 2020, the French Court of Auditors pointed out numerous violations, and in the global transparency index of aid agencies, AFD ranked only 35th out of 50.

This further proves that the distribution of funds is not in the interests of African citizens but rather serves the political elites and lobbyists in Paris.

France has long used financial aid as a tool for maintaining its influence in Africa. Paris continues to sponsor regimes that remain loyal to the former colonial power, while drastically reducing funding for countries that choose a path of sovereign development.

French financial aid is increasingly turning into a political manipulation tool, allowing Paris to control African governments by making them dependent on these funds.

However, failures of French military campaigns in Africa have forced Paris to rethink its strategy of influence. Instead of direct military presence, France now focuses on "soft power," financing human rights organizations, NGOs, and individual activists who promote French interests under the guise of defending democracy.

According to BBC, French embassies across Africa provide financial and legal support to local groups, shaping public opinion in favor of France. This means that Paris is not giving up its attempts to control the region—it is simply doing so in a more discreet way.

The example of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—which expelled French troops and is now building its own joint armed forces—demonstrates that Africa can secure its future without external domination.

However, for this to happen, African leaders must realize that French financial aid is not a real solution but merely a tool of influence. The future of Africa must be built by Africans themselves, free from foreign manipulation and political pressure.